Manchester City will seek to extend their lead at the top of the English Premier League on Sunday evening when they travel to West London to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
The Citizens, who are first on the log after 11 games, are tied on points (27) with Arsenal, who beat Burnley 3-1 on Saturday.
A win for the Citizens against Chelsea at Stamford would take them three points above their nearest rivals heading into the two-week international break.
But they face a Chelsea side who are now full of confidence after their convincing 4-1 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday to snap the Premier League’s last remaining unbeaten record.
Point-wise, Mauricio Pochettino’s side sits in 10th place with 15 points in their 11 games. Nine points separate them from both the top four and the relegation zone.
They hosted Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday with just one victory in the last 13 League games at Stamford Bridge, and this came against new boys Luton Town.
Team News
This game comes too early for Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia, who returned to training this week.
Apart from these two, Chelsea has a couple of players still out with injuries, including Wesley Fofana (knee), Ben Chilwell (thigh), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), and Armando Broja (knee).
For Pep Guardiola, he will be John Stone, who came off at halftime against Young Boys with a thigh complaint.
Stones now joins Sergio Gomes (ankle) and Kevin De Bruyen (thigh) in the city sickbay.
Match Facts
Chelsea have avoided defeat in three matches against the top four teams this season, and they can complete the set by taking at least a point against Manchester City.
Manchester City have won 1-0 in each of the past four Premier League meetings against Chelsea.
The Blues are looking to avoid five consecutive league defeats against a specific opponent since a run of seven at the hands of Blackburn between 1993 and 1996.
City can become the first club to win four consecutive top-flight away fixtures against Chelsea since Leeds United won six in a row at Stamford Bridge from 1973 to 1991.
Chelsea have failed to score in nine of their 18 home league fixtures in 2023, including three of the last four.
Pep Guardiola has lost eight matches against Chelsea, the joint most of his managerial career alongside Liverpool.
What was said by the two managers ahead of this game?
Mauricio Pochettino said, “For me, the best team and coach in the world. One of the best organizations in the world. When you show the results from top to bottom, it shows they are doing really well. We know it’s going to be tough. We want to win the three points.”
While Pep Guardiola also noted, “They’re getting better—new club, new players. Sooner rather than later, they’ll be a top contender; the quality in all departments is there.”
Probable Line-ups
Chelsea FC: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson
Manchester City: Ederson; Dias; Ake; Gvardiol; Walker; Rodri; Kovacic; Doku; Silva; Alvarez; Haaland
